All Japan Daruma-san ga Koronda Tournament

All Japan Daruma-san ga Koronda Tournament

This event is held every November in the town of Oji, Nara Prefecture.
The tournament is a competition for the championship based on original rules given to the traditional game of “Daruma-san ga Koronda” (meaning “Daruma fell down”).
It is held in Oji because of the game’s connection with the town’s Daruma-ji Temple.
Daruma-ji Temple recounts a story that Prince Shotoku encountered and aided Daruma Daishi in the 21st year of the reign of Empress Suiko (613) in a legend known as the “Kataoka Kijin Densetsu” (“the legend of the starving man of Kataoka”).

The Kataoka Kijin Densetsu

Depicting the first meeting of Prince Shotoku and Daruma Daishi, the Kataoka Kijin Densetsu is a legend deeply connected with the Oji area in Nara Prefecture.
In 613, Prince Shotoku found a starving man collapsed in the road while visiting Kataokayama. When the prince asked the man his name, he remained silent, as though lacking the strength to reply.
Prince Shotoku felt compassion for the man, and gave him some of his own food and drink. He then covered the man with a purple robe which only the nobility were allowed to wear, and comforted him, telling him to rest peacefully.

However, on the following day, the starving man had died, and the deeply saddened Prince Shotoku buried him in a tomb.

Even several days later, Prince Shotoku could not stop thinking about the starving man, remembering that the man had the piercing gaze unique to people with Buddhist training and was surrounded by a pleasing scent despite his tattered clothing. He felt that the starving man collapsed in the road could not be any ordinary person, and must be a holy man, so he sent a servant to check the tomb.

When the servant looked, nothing had changed about the grave, but the body that should have been buried there had vanished, and the robe Prince Shotoku had used to cover the starving man earlier was placed neatly folded on top of the coffin.
Hearing this, Prince Shotoku ordered the servant to return to the grave and bring back the robe, and although it had touched the skin of the man who starved to death, he was unconcerned, wearing it as he always had.
People who heard this at the time were very surprised, and their reverence for the prince grew, saying that “a holy person can recognize a holy person.”

It was later believed that the man who starved to death was an incarnation of the Zen sect founder Daruma Daishi (*2). Under the main hall of Daruma-ji Temple, an ancient tomb said to be the grave of Daruma Daishi still survives today.

Since Daruma-ji Temple is the place where Daruma Daishi collapsed in the road, making it the first place in Japan where “Daruma fell down,” the All Japan Daruma-san ga Koronda Tournament began as a way for more people to learn about the history and culture of the Daruma-ji Temple in Oji.

*1 Who is Prince Shotoku?

Prince Shotoku was a politician active in Japan from the late 6th century to the early 7th century. He was an important figure who oversaw affairs of state on behalf of the government under Empress Suiko, Japan’s first reigning empress.
His most famous achievements are formulating the 17 Article Constitution, Japan’s first legal code, and introducing the 12 Level Cap and Rank System, which established social rankings.
Prince Shotoku was also passionate about spreading Buddhist teachings, and backed the building of many temples, including the building of Horyu-ji Temple.
Although Horyu-ji Temple was rebuilt several times after fires in later years, it still remains the world’s oldest wooden building, and continues to spread Japan’s art and spirituality.
Prince Shotoku’s principles emphasizing fairness and harmony are carried on in modern Japanese society, and he is widely respected even today.

*2 Who is Daruma Daishi?

Daruma Daishi was a monk born in India active during the 5th century to the 6th century who spread Buddhism to China. He is regarded as the founder of the Zen sect, a school of Buddhism, and emphasized “zazen” meditation to calm the mind and reflect on one’s own inner self.

Zazen is practiced by many people today as a meditation technique to achieve inner peace. The daruma dolls named after Daruma Daishi are dolls dressed in red robes that will stand up again no matter how many times they fall down, so they symbolize the strength to persevere in the face of challenges, and they are well-known in Japan as lucky objects.

Official Competition Rules

Game Overview

"Daruma-san ga koronda," similar to "Red Light, Green Light," is a traditional Japanese children's game. In this game, one player becomes the "Oni" (known as "tagger" or "it" in English), while the other players aim to reach the goal.

The "Oni" says a specific phrase, "Daruma-san ga koronda," and then turns around. If the Oni spots any players moving at that moment, those players are out.

Players take advantage of the Oni’s turned back to move forward efficiently, timing their movements for the best chance to sprint. This game's simple yet strategic elements, along with the tension between stillness and motion, make it very popular among children.
In the official competition of "Daruma-san ga koronda," the game is played with the Oni and two teams.

Team Composition and Basic Rules

○ Team Setup:
Each team consists of five players, and the game is played between two teams. There are no restrictions on the gender or age of the participants.

○ Roles of the Oni and Assistant Referees:
The Oni, chosen by the organizer, plays a crucial role in ensuring the fairness of the game. Additionally, two assistant referees provided by the organizers help facilitate the game.

○ Playing Field:
The game is played on a court measuring 10 meters wide and 15 meters long. The goal line is positioned at one end of the court.

○ Match Duration:
Each match lasts for 2 minutes.

Starting the Game

The game begins with all players from both teams lined up at the starting line, commencing on the signal "The first step."

Gameplay and the Role of the Oni

The Oni holds a pivotal role. Positioned at the back of the goal side of the court, the Oni faces away from the players and loudly announces, "Daruma-san ga koronda." After finishing the phrase, the Oni quickly turns around.
Players are allowed to advance towards the goal line while the Oni's back is turned but must freeze the moment the Oni faces them again. Any movement spotted by the Oni results in the player being called out.

Note: More details on the role of the Oni will follow in this section.

Scoring and Winning Conditions

○ Each player who reaches the goal line scores 20 points. The team with the highest total score at the end of the time wins.
○ If there is a tie, a "Seventh Try" sudden death occurs over an unobstructed 7-meter distance. The first team to have a player cross the goal wins.

Rule Violations and Penalties

○ Players stepping out of bounds must return to the starting line to re-enter the game.
○ Intentionally obstructing another player's path is considered a foul, and the offending player is immediately called out.

Note on the Oni

The role of the Oni in "Daruma-san ga koronda" is a significant element found in many traditional Japanese children’s games. Typically referred to as "tagger" or "it" in English, the Oni watches over the players and catches anyone breaking the rules by moving. Thus, the Oni enforces the rules, adding order and thrill to the game.
Similar roles can be seen in other traditional Japanese games like "tag" and "hide and seek," where the Oni acts as the chaser or catcher. These games are not only fun but also serve as a natural way for children to learn about social rules, cooperation, and competition.

Image of the tournament

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